Live boot would work...unless he's having a hardware issue (as you know, just stating it for others). So if he wants to go that route before a re-install,that's perfectly fine...but it sounds like he can access everything (maybe I'm misunderstanding), so copying valuable files over to a thumb drive shouldn't be an issue.

Wade, do you have the links for the Windows 7 DVD's? Wasn't sure if you gave them to him or not.

All are legitimate copies, downloads that were provided by Microsoft, to Digital River, for customers to download and use as long as they have the Windows 7 key to use (which Windu should be able to find on the laptop).

Will, go to Start, and in the search box, type in dxdiag, then click it as it appears (to run). You can click "No" when it asks you about drivers. Under Operating System (the System tab), post that entire line for us.

Would I still need to go buy a blank dvd in order to use those downloads? Or can I just download it straight from there?

I've been going back and forth between the laptop and my phone. On the laptop now because I haven't been shutting it down.

I do have the product key that I got off the back of the laptop.

As for the last part, I'm at the DirectX Diagnostic Tool now. It didn't ask me about drivers.

Live boot would work...unless he's having a hardware issue (as you know, just stating it for others). So if he wants to go that route before a re-install,that's perfectly fine...but it sounds like he can access everything (maybe I'm misunderstanding), so copying valuable files over to a thumb drive shouldn't be an issue.

Wade, do you have the links for the Windows 7 DVD's? Wasn't sure if you gave them to him or not.

All are legitimate copies, downloads that were provided by Microsoft, to Digital River, for customers to download and use as long as they have the Windows 7 key to use (which Windu should be able to find on the laptop).

Will, go to Start, and in the search box, type in dxdiag, then click it as it appears (to run). You can click "No" when it asks you about drivers. Under Operating System (the System tab), post that entire line for us.

GOOD LOOKING RD. I was going to upload a copy of Windows 7 to my ftp and it was going to take all day.

Would I still need to go buy a blank dvd in order to use those downloads? Or can I just download it straight from there?

I've been going back and forth between the laptop and my phone. On the laptop now because I haven't been shutting it down.

I do have the product key that I got off the back of the laptop.

As for the last part, I'm at the DirectX Diagnostic Tool now. It didn't ask me about drivers.

Looking under System tab...

Windows sometimes has a GUI installer that you can launch, explore the iso and there should be an .exe of some sort to run. I don't know if that'll allow you to install Windows fresh from there, I've only known about starting a Windows Upgrade from there.

You generally do need a blank DVD-R/DVD-RW and a CD/DVD burner for after you download the iso RD linked you with. You can use that ActiveISO Image Burner I mentioned earlier to take care of that.

The light is at the end of the tunnel now. ;D

"I'm always a firm believer in us being able to make our own decisions." --Kobe Bryant

Once you download ImgBurn, and install it, you'll right-click the ISO and "Send To" ImgBurn to burn to a DVD (that you'll need to buy...they aren't that expensive, for a pack of 10). I'm assuming it probably won't matter if you're getting DVD-R's or DVD+R's, since you have a Win7 computer.

If you're having trouble with any of this, and you're going to give up and spend money...I'll actually just send you the DVD through the mail, priority. Not a problem.

I'm wondering if we would be able to walk you through setting up a new partition on your hard drive, you installing Windows on it, and then having all of your info on the old partition. It's not really that difficult, but one small mistake will ruin everything.

I'm wondering if we would be able to walk you through setting up a new partition on your hard drive, you installing Windows on it, and then having all of your info on the old partition. It's not really that difficult, but one small mistake will ruin everything.

More than likely, I can do it myself but it's been many years since I've done computer work of this nature. So a walk-through would be appreciated...just in case I do make one those mistakes. I'll let you and Wade know when I'm ready.

It is. No amount of AV or firewall will protect you if you are subject to being manipulated by social engineer tactics, or other means. 95% of the time, errors stem from the user itself and not the machine.

So, I'm thinking of purchasing an Asus laptop on Amazon for $429 (~$470 after taxes). The model is A55A-AH31 15.6' LED display with an i3 processor and Windows 8 installed. For anyone who knows better than me, is this a good deal?
Here's the link: http://www.amazon.co...aw/d/B009OV5150

I'm only going to be using the computer for schoolwork and web browsing. No gaming and no editing. Is this a good buy?

So, I'm thinking of purchasing an Asus laptop on Amazon for $429 (~$470 after taxes). The model is A55A-AH31 15.6' LED display with an i3 processor and Windows 8 installed. For anyone who knows better than me, is this a good deal?Here's the link: http://www.amazon.co...aw/d/B009OV5150

I'm only going to be using the computer for schoolwork and web browsing. No gaming and no editing. Is this a good buy?

For schoolwork and web browsing it will do good. You should have enough power with the i3 to get those tasks done, and plenty of ram to not get bogged down by simaltaneously running applications. The 750gb hard drive is good too. Windows 8 and the CPU is a major part of the price you are paying. An option you could keep in mind is to downgrade the CPU to a dual core, pentium or celeron. That would save you over $100 and all of the other specs would be around the same (6gb ram, HDD space, Windows 8). You won't go wrong with getting the i3 though, that's for sure.

Goodluck!

Edited by -Wade-, February 24, 2013 - 03:48 PM.

"I'm always a firm believer in us being able to make our own decisions." --Kobe Bryant